Why does your dog paw your other dog's head?

Answer 1

Pawing has many meanings. Pawing to the top of another dog's head typically means that the "pawer" is saying, "Hey Bud, I'm friendly but just know I'm the Top Dog here, so watch it!" Often head-pawing is done during play, or in an initial "greeting" even if the dogs see each other all the time.

More aggressive head pawing is like the Top Dog is saying, a little more sternly, "Hey, did you forget, I am the Boss here; I don't want you to forget it and it seems you've forgotten that fact."

If the 2nd dog still doesn't "get" the message, the Top Dog's behavior becomes even more aggressive. If the 2nd dog speaks Dog Language well and agrees with the "message" of the Top Dog, you might see the 2nd dog crouch low with belly on the ground, or might roll onto its back to expose its belly. This is the 2nd dog's moment of submission. It's like saying "Uncle!" and giving up a potential fight, before a fight begins.

However, if 2 dogs persist in trying to assert Top Dog position, head-pawing can quickly disintegrate into a "tiff" between the two. The "argument" is, "I'm top dog here; No, I'm top dog here!" Dogs who were socialized by their mothers, and trained well by humans, can end their own "tiff" when one or the other dog just gives in. The mood stays friendly; the dogs may go right back to playing.

With 2 dogs who didn't learn "puppy manners" from their mothers, the "tiff" can escalate and both dogs may not know how to back off the argument. The "loser" position (submissive) may feel like too much of a loss; dogs who are generally scared in life (i.e. they are scared most of the time) often don't know how to be submissive to other dogs. Just like with humans, they may only know to use aggression to control the "other guy".

These basic social manners and behaviors is why it's so important for puppies to remain with their mom for 6 to 8 weeks. Moms teach puppies the dog language of how to win by 'losing' the fight; how to be submissive in the right way and at the right time; and the body language that dogs use. Watch a mom when she head paws her pups, and you'll observe the "messages" she is communicating to them.

Answer 2

Actually that is how dogs sniff each other or if the dog that nudges the other dog is other than the other it is trying to see if the smaller dog will fall down and become a pack member

Answer 3

That posture is called a "play bow," actually, and it's a form of communication that dogs understand to mean "play with me" or "I want to play with you."

Answer 4

The dog is asserting dominance.

Answer 5

it means that they are communicating